THE head of Preston College has promised an investigation after an awards ceremony for students with learning disabilities was never organised, despite being approved by him.

College chiefs say they are baffled how the presentation, set up in memory of a former tutor who died of cancer, was botched-up.

It comes after Charles Monaghan, 66, of Southgate, Fulwood, organised the presentation in memory of his wife Roberta.

Mr Monaghan and his family pledged to set up an annual reward scheme for students.

Although the initiative was given the green light by college principal Stewart Ingleson, and the date for the ceremony pencilled in for Wednesday, July 2, the college failed to arrange the event.

Worse still, the widower was never informed of the blunder and only discovered the mix-up after calling the college days before to arrange delivery of the prizes.

"I can't believe this has happened," said Mr Monaghan. "The students and their families were expecting the presentation and had not been informed.

"My family has been greatly upset by this and feel it's insensitive and has thwarted our efforts to sustain Roberta's memory."

Fearing the presentation might have to be postponed Mr Monaghan contacted bosses at the Holiday Inn, Ringway, Preston, who agreed to hold a private presentation for students Donna Bickerstaffe and Elizabeth Donnelly, their family and friends and Charles' family.

College principal Mr Ingleson has since apologised to Mr Monaghan for the dilemma but was unable to give a reason for the situation.

Mr Ingleson said: "I would like to assure Mr Monaghan that the college will ensure there is a thorough investigation into the reasons surrounding the postponement of the awards ceremony."